Ajarian Khachapuri
Ajarian Khachapuri
Khachapuri is perhaps the most renowned dish in Georgia, with numerous variations that typically involve a delightful blend of cheese and dough. Ajarian khachapuri, in particular, is a symbolic dish hailing from the unique region of Ajara in Georgia. This distinctively shaped dish has gained immense popularity and recognition within Georgian cuisine.
Ajarian khachapuri embodies the limitless Georgian hospitality, the warmth of the southern sun, and the vastness of the Black Sea. Its boat-like shape cradles a scrumptious combination of melted cheese, generous chunks of butter, and egg yolk. The dish's form and ingredients are meant to capture the radiant sun and coastal origins of subtropical Ajara.
The inception of Ajarian khachapuri is linked to the Laz people, who primarily pursued fishing in ancient times. They were the first to bake this khachapuri, and its boat-shaped design is connected to their livelihood. Another theory behind the dish's origin is that the egg placed in the khachapuri symbolizes the sun captured within a boat, reflecting the coastal essence of Ajara.
Ajarian khachapuri is a calorie-rich food best enjoyed with your hands, thanks to its convenient shape. Tear off small pieces of warm bread from the edges and dip them into the rich center filled with cheese, cream, and butter.
Preparing Adjarian Khachapuri
To make Adjarian khachapuri, first combine yeast, a pinch of sugar, and salt in flour, then pour in milk and knead into a soft dough. Allow the dough to rise before rolling it into a circle. Fold both sides of the dough and pinch the ends together to form a boat shape, then brush with egg yolk. Mix an egg with cheese and fill the boat-shaped dough with the mixture. Place the filled dough in an oven preheated to 200 degrees Celsius.
After about 10 minutes, when the dough becomes slightly golden, remove it from the oven and create a small indentation in the center of the khachapuri. Gently place a raw egg yolk inside and return the dish to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the egg white sets. Remove the baked khachapuri from the oven, top with a slice of butter, and enjoy!
While visiting Ajara, be sure to try the delightful Ajarian khachapuri at local restaurants. Typically, establishments offer small, medium, or large portions of the dish. Don't miss the chance to try this traditional meal in Georgia, particularly in Ajara, its historical birthplace.